Trump Administration Restricts South Africa Refugee Program to Whites

President Donald Trump signed an executive order in February 2025 establishing a refugee program aimed primarily at resettling Afrikaners, white South Africans descended mostly from Dutch settlers, whom he described as victims of racial violence. However, American diplomats in South Africa sought clarification in July on whether non-white minorities, including mixed-race South Africans who speak Afrikaans and other racial minorities such as the Khoisan, could also apply for the program. A senior State Department official, Spencer Chretien, responded that the program was intended for white people, though the State Department stated publicly that the policy was broader and aimed to consider both Afrikaners and other racial minorities for resettlement. The internal debate and conflicting guidance have caused confusion among diplomats implementing the program, with some non-white families reportedly already resettled. Critics note the contradiction between claims of white South Africans facing severe discrimination and the fact that white South Africans, a minority comprising about 7% of the population, own three-quarters of the land. The situation highlights the complexity and controversy surrounding the U.S. refugee policy toward South Africa under President Trump's administration.